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Chelsea Manning Faces Charges for Trying to Take Her Own Life

Chelsea Manning
Chelsea Manning
Allison Steinberg,
Communications Strategist,
ACLU
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July 29, 2016

Imprisoned whistleblower Chelsea Manning received a document from Army officials informing her that she is being investigated for serious new charges related to her July 5th attempt to take her own life.

If convicted of these “administrative offenses,” she could be placed in indefinite solitary confinement for the remainder of her decades-long sentence.

Since she was first taken into custody in 2010, Chelsea, a transgender woman being forced to serve out her sentence in an all-male prison, has been subjected to long stretches of solitary confinement and denied medical treatment related to her gender dysphoria.

These new charges, which Army employees verbally informed Chelsea were related to the July 5th incident, include, “resisting the force cell move team;” “prohibited property;” and “conduct which threatens.” If convicted, Chelsea could face punishment including indefinite solitary confinement, reclassification into maximum security, and an additional nine years in medium custody. They may negate any chances of parole.

In addition to these new charges, The Army continues to deny Chelsea access to basic health care, including inadequate medical treatment after her suicide attempt.

Chelsea dictated the complete contents of the charge sheet to a supporter over the phone; the transcription can be found here.

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